The Crater, and the incredible scientists studying it, create powerful impressions for so many over the years! This was memory was kindly shared recently by a visitor named Rick:

“In the fall of 1971, I was a freshman at Caltech. Dr Shoemaker and a cohort who taught history combined their efforts to offer a unique class for freshmen which combined aspects of science and history.

As part of the course, we did a field trip to your crater in late 1971. I was in the geology vehicle with Gene when we pulled into the visitor's center at the crater. I had no idea how important the work he had done on the crater's creation was. He was so down to earth and open to connection even with freshmen that I thought of him as both a professor and a friend.

As the vehicle came to a stop, I saw several people running toward us from the visitor's center. They were delighted to see Shoemaker. That was my first inkling how lucky I was to be in that class! My experience with Gene and that field trip is one of my fondest memories of Caltech.”